XP or vista

[zackman220]

opinions which one is better?


i think xp

[Dragod]

Vista is better. Much more stable, much prettier, better security, more features.
XP is only good if you have an older computer, or are a speed whore for milliseconds.

[USMCWarrior]

Vista is better and I agree with Dragod there.

[EndUnknown]

I prefer XP, because it runs on my POC laptops, although if I had a good system I would probably say Vista, dualbooted w/ xp

[Gow616]

Vista x86-64 ALIAS Vista x64 ALIAS Vista 64 bit

Security, Stability and overall good improvements. Only downside was drivers for hardware, which happens with every Windows release so nothing new there. Heck, I can even predict Windows 7 will even suffer from the same fate. Ai yah.

[nathanlawliet]

Eh, I can't decide. Both have good and bad.

Windows XP Pros
The nice things about Windows XP is that it doesn't have multiple programs relaying information on your PC to Microsoft (Windows Defender for example). It also isn't solely based on the fact that people buy it because it looks nice. It is a good OS that gives you control on what you do with it. The files you own are yours, and Microsoft doesn't have control over it like in Vista.

It's also VERY fast, and great for playing games. It's the classic Windows OS that let's you do whatever you want, and has millions of apps for it.

Windows XP Cons
It's older, so therefore when you do a fresh install, you could have to do things like update the .NET Framework and Windows Installer, then Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. Also, you have to find and download all of your drivers, where as in Vista they are automatically installed for you, saving you time.

Windows XP also is less organized than it's successor, Windows Vista, and there is just less advanced ways of dealing with things. I can't name any specific examples, but it's basically more... ready-to-go and uses more common sense.

Another thing is security. When you get XP, you get the operating system and nothing else. You have to buy your own firewall or anti-virus, whereas in Vista it's there for you (but still not that great).

Windows Vista Pros
There are nice features in Windows Vista, such as the new, nice looking eye candy and the new start menu. Upon install, it automatically downloads drivers for you and there is a LOT more compatibility than there first was when it came out.

Vista is also more organized, and has a search bar in the start menu that can even act as a Run window, such as when you type "msconfig" in the Search bar and press enter, it automatically brings up the Windows Start Options.

Vista also has everything up-to-date. No new Windows Installers (or ones that you HAVE to get to install anything) or .NET Framework, and it also is more user friendly for finding things and getting status reports on your PC.

Windows Vista Cons
There are plenty of cons for Vista, mainly with you and the operating system. Vista is different than XP pretty much due to the fact that it is constantly communicating information about your computer to Microsoft. It's been proven many times, and takes a while to stop all the things from doing it as well. This of course, only bothers privacy-concerned people.

Another flaw is Windows Defender. By default, it is automatically set to "Real-Time Scanning" when you install Windows Vista, so things such as the Control Panel are scanned by Windows Defender, and it's part of the operating system which shows that Microsoft got lazy when deciding what it scans and what it doesn't scan, and even on a computer with 2.5 GB of memory it is very noticeable with RTS on.

More problems arise with Microsoft's contract with Hollywood to automatically downgrade HD content (I forget the specifics) and the Windows DRM that runs in the background. Microsoft also in 2010 will be starting to make all drivers for your computer to be digitally signed by Microsoft, or they will be disabled. They say it's for security reasons, but anyone with an IQ above 50 will know it's just so that you have to buy THEIR software, or you have to pay Microsoft for your hardware to work with their software. If you have an Eyetoy for your PS2 like me, you will no longer be able to install drivers to make it act as a Webcam for your PC starting in 2010.

Perhaps the biggest flaw with Windows Vista is the steep system requirements. It has so many things running in the background, like Windows DRM, the communication with Microsoft, Windows Defender (Which can easily be turned off, making the system go a lot faster), that you need a really good computer to even run the operating system. By default, Prefetch and Superfetch are turned on, which means that upon logging in, Windows Vista will automatically start caching all of your computer memory to make programs run faster. The problem with that is that if you want to play a computer game, Prefetch doesn't have an OFF feature so it will lag for the first bit of the game. Due to the way Vista handles memory, it's been proven through Halo 2 for Windows Vista that it takes longer to load in Vista than in XP. I installed it in Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition and Windows XP Professional 32-bit and in XP, it loaded a LOT faster.

The last problem is all of the versions of Vista. Home starter (in developing countries), home basic, home premium, business, enterprise, ultimate, there's too many for the average person to know what to get. And anyone who uses a computer just wants Ultimate. Not too bad, but they could've made less editions of the operating system.

All in all, Windows XP is bad because it's outdated, and while it still has new software like Zune Software and such, Microsoft is dropping support for it and it will then enter it's extended support period until 2014.

With Windows Vista, the main problems come to control, and you owning what you own seeing as in the C drive you can't even edit some files, even though you (presumably) PAID for the operating system.

So in the end, I can't decide over XP or Vista. I just triple boot them along with Ubuntu.

[soccerfreak24]

Well, I use XP, but sometimes I use vista on my bro's comp and I like it more.

[Marshillboy]

I have had nightmare experiences with Vista compatibility with both software and drivers. XP just plain works. Plus, you don't have to deal with DX10 bogging down your frames per second in games.

[USMCWarrior]

@ nathanlawliet: Very nice summary.

[bobbyeggo]

I use XP on my lappy, and it works great. Both my mom and my sister's laptops run Vista and I like it, but it's definitely slower. It's a very good looking OS, though, and it has some nice features. We haven't had any problems with compatibility. So all in all either one works fine for me.

[Gregory]

I use TinyVista, it's Vista with all the Junk taken out.

[nathanlawliet]

Originally Posted by Gregory

I use TinyVista, it's Vista with all the Junk taken out.

What's taken out? Where'd you get it?

EDIT: Nevermind, it's made for games, not to be an operating system for regular use.

[Dragod]

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

Eh, I can't decide. Both have good and bad.

Windows XP Pros
The nice things about Windows XP is that it doesn't have multiple programs relaying information on your PC to Microsoft (Windows Defender for example). It also isn't solely based on the fact that people buy it because it looks nice. It is a good OS that gives you control on what you do with it. The files you own are yours, and Microsoft doesn't have control over it like in Vista.

It's also VERY fast, and great for playing games. It's the classic Windows OS that let's you do whatever you want, and has millions of apps for it.

Windows XP Cons
It's older, so therefore when you do a fresh install, you could have to do things like update the .NET Framework and Windows Installer, then Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. Also, you have to find and download all of your drivers, where as in Vista they are automatically installed for you, saving you time.

Windows XP also is less organized than it's successor, Windows Vista, and there is just less advanced ways of dealing with things. I can't name any specific examples, but it's basically more... ready-to-go and uses more common sense.

Another thing is security. When you get XP, you get the operating system and nothing else. You have to buy your own firewall or anti-virus, whereas in Vista it's there for you (but still not that great).

Windows Vista Pros
There are nice features in Windows Vista, such as the new, nice looking eye candy and the new start menu. Upon install, it automatically downloads drivers for you and there is a LOT more compatibility than there first was when it came out.

Vista is also more organized, and has a search bar in the start menu that can even act as a Run window, such as when you type "msconfig" in the Search bar and press enter, it automatically brings up the Windows Start Options.

Vista also has everything up-to-date. No new Windows Installers (or ones that you HAVE to get to install anything) or .NET Framework, and it also is more user friendly for finding things and getting status reports on your PC.

Windows Vista Cons
There are plenty of cons for Vista, mainly with you and the operating system. Vista is different than XP pretty much due to the fact that it is constantly communicating information about your computer to Microsoft. It's been proven many times, and takes a while to stop all the things from doing it as well. This of course, only bothers privacy-concerned people.

Another flaw is Windows Defender. By default, it is automatically set to "Real-Time Scanning" when you install Windows Vista, so things such as the Control Panel are scanned by Windows Defender, and it's part of the operating system which shows that Microsoft got lazy when deciding what it scans and what it doesn't scan, and even on a computer with 2.5 GB of memory it is very noticeable with RTS on.

More problems arise with Microsoft's contract with Hollywood to automatically downgrade HD content (I forget the specifics) and the Windows DRM that runs in the background. Microsoft also in 2010 will be starting to make all drivers for your computer to be digitally signed by Microsoft, or they will be disabled. They say it's for security reasons, but anyone with an IQ above 50 will know it's just so that you have to buy THEIR software, or you have to pay Microsoft for your hardware to work with their software. If you have an Eyetoy for your PS2 like me, you will no longer be able to install drivers to make it act as a Webcam for your PC starting in 2010.

Perhaps the biggest flaw with Windows Vista is the steep system requirements. It has so many things running in the background, like Windows DRM, the communication with Microsoft, Windows Defender (Which can easily be turned off, making the system go a lot faster), that you need a really good computer to even run the operating system. By default, Prefetch and Superfetch are turned on, which means that upon logging in, Windows Vista will automatically start caching all of your computer memory to make programs run faster. The problem with that is that if you want to play a computer game, Prefetch doesn't have an OFF feature so it will lag for the first bit of the game. Due to the way Vista handles memory, it's been proven through Halo 2 for Windows Vista that it takes longer to load in Vista than in XP. I installed it in Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition and Windows XP Professional 32-bit and in XP, it loaded a LOT faster.

The last problem is all of the versions of Vista. Home starter (in developing countries), home basic, home premium, business, enterprise, ultimate, there's too many for the average person to know what to get. And anyone who uses a computer just wants Ultimate. Not too bad, but they could've made less editions of the operating system.

All in all, Windows XP is bad because it's outdated, and while it still has new software like Zune Software and such, Microsoft is dropping support for it and it will then enter it's extended support period until 2014.

With Windows Vista, the main problems come to control, and you owning what you own seeing as in the C drive you can't even edit some files, even though you (presumably) PAID for the operating system.

So in the end, I can't decide over XP or Vista. I just triple boot them along with Ubuntu.

That's the kind of posts I wanted to see from you Nathan. Nice job.

[EndUnknown]

Originally Posted by Gregory

I use TinyVista, it's Vista with all the Junk taken out.

more info please. where can I get it?

[Darth Camel]

As long as you have a decent computer, you should be just fine with Vista. Plus, it's pretty! And new(er)!

[nathanlawliet]

Originally Posted by Dark616

more info please. where can I get it?

Just Google it. That's what I did.

I don't like it though. It's made for GAMING, not being an operating system (says on the site itself), so I suggest you do the safe and legal thing and keep your Vista copy you have. It wouldn't do much like you want, like install programs and such. It's PURELY for gaming.

[brahmasoccer09]

Once you use Vista on a daily basis, using XP seems like a big step back. Anyone else agree?

[stkr]

Originally Posted by brahmasoccer09

Once you use Vista on a daily basis, using XP seems like a big step back. Anyone else agree?

Yes. I used to love my aunts computer, but I got a new one with Vista on it and now I dislike using her computer. Vista is like silk for me. Smooth . This may have more to do with the increased power pushing my computer, but even navigation is quicker.